In the sacred ritual, offerings were made with reverence to the hymns of many verses: first to those with fourteen, then fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen verses, each honored with the utterance of svāhā. The nineteen-versed hymns received their due, as did those of twenty verses, and then the great section itself. The smaller hymns were not forgotten: three-versed, one-versed, and even those less than a hymn, each received their oblation. The red hymns, the two Suns, the Vrātyas, Prajāpatis, Viṣāsahya, Maṅgalikas, and finally, Brahman—all were offered oblations, svāhā. The powers gathered were declared eldest in Brahman. In the beginning, Brahman stretched out the highest heaven, and among all beings, Brahman was born first. Who, then, could rival Brahman? With the same power by which the gods upheld Savitar, the divine Brahmaṇaspati was invoked to encompass the chosen one for sovereignty. Indra was encompassed for a long life and great dominion, so that age would not bring him down, and he would remain ever alert in his rule. Indra was also encompassed for great hearing, so that he would stay ever awake in his perception, untouched by old age. The prayer continued: "Encompass us with brilliance, drive away old age and death, grant long life." Bṛhaspati bestowed a garment, and Soma the king was to be encompassed with it. Old age was commanded to depart, to put on this garment, and to become a protector of dwellings against curses. The wish was for a hundred autumns of life, abundant wealth, and wide renown. The garment was donned for well-being, making the wearer a protector of waters against curses. Again, the prayer invoked a hundred autumns of life, renown, and lovely riches to be shared. In every union, every contest of strength or prize, Indra was called as a friend for help. The gods—Agni, Soma, Bṛhaspati, Savitar, and Indra—declared: "Golden-hued, undecaying, blessed with good sons, conquer old age and death through progeny." With tireless mind, the foremost was yoked, carrying upward to the shore, and the milker was sent forth. When the gold born from Agni was placed among mortals as immortal, whoever knew this was worthy of it; whoever bore it became free from old age and death. This gold, shining like the sun, was sought by the ancient Manu and his offspring. The moon sent it forth with brilliance, and whoever bore it lived long. For long life, brilliance, vigor, and strength, the prayer continued—golden splendor shining among the people. That which King Varuṇa, Bṛhaspati, and Indra the slayer of Vṛtra knew was invoked for the devotee’s long life and radiance. Protection was sought: may the bull guard with cows, the mighty one with steeds, Vāyu with sacred utterance, and Indra with his powers. Soma was asked to protect with herbs, the Sun with stars, the Moon with waters, and the Wind with breath. There were three heavens, three earths, three atmospheres, and four oceans; the triple hymn and triple waters were declared, and these were invoked to protect with triple forces. Three heavens, three oceans, three shining ones, three realms of bliss; three of Mātariśvan, three Suns—all were appointed as guardians. Agni was anointed with ghee, increased with clarified butter, and prayers asked that neither Agni, nor the Moon, nor the Sun, nor breath be harmed by deceivers. May breath, downward breath, and vital force remain unharmed, as the shining, all-knowing gods sped with divine speed. With breath, Agni was joined; the Wind united with breath; with breath, the gods created the Sun, who faces all directions. Thus, through offerings, prayers, and invocations, the powers of the cosmos were honored and woven together, seeking protection, brilliance, and long life for those who walked the sacred path.